Category: Young Adult/Teen Publisher: Lulu.com
ISBN-10: 1435724690
Type: Fiction
Pages: 68
Copyright: Oct 16, 2007
ISBN-13: 9781435724693
“The Diary of Stephanie Dane” is a story about a girl and her four year career in High School.
"In this provocative book, Casey has exposed tough issues. He has given hope to families by revealing that in spite of what a child encounters in school, there is an outlet, a solution to the problem, and in this case it happened to be through keeping a diary." Shelly Ellis
"The Diary of Stephanie Dane" is a short story about a girl's 4 year career in high school. Stephanie attends her first year in high school with high hopes and happiness that cannot be described. Stephanie having watched many teen movies and television shows becomes very happy to be a part of the high school crowd. However after spending sometime in school she realizes it's not exactyly the way they depict it on the tv. Quickly coming to her senses she tries to enjoy the pains, burdens, and trials of high school. Witnessing bomb threats, fights, teen pregnancy, death, and many other issues, Stephanie comes to the realization that high school is much more than just boyfriends, parties, and proms.
Excerpt
Dear diary, it is now week two of the bomb threat. They haven’t found the person yet, but everyone is talking. Some are saying its Brian, but he’s too conceited to do something like that. He would have told on himself by now. Hey, do you remember Parker, the kid that got into a fight with the teacher. Well, he got transferred into another school. Anyways, I’m in Speech and Drama right now. We’re about to do a drama exercise. This class is so much fun. It’s this class that has confirmed that I was born to be an actress. I’m looking into colleges now. I know, I know, it’s too early. I say it’s never too early. I’m thinking Keen University, McClure University, or Rogers University. I am going to be a theatre major, and a music minor. I can’t wait. Well, it is time for me to go, until later, bye. PS, congratulate me; I am now an ensemble member of West Side Story. I was so happy after I found out. Rehearsal starts today after school. Well, again until later, bye.
Professional Reviews
A New Book by a New Author
In High Schools across the country, students’ dropout rates soar as high as 50 percent. Literacy levels are at an all-time low. After decades of false promises by the school system, parents are still demanding educational equality, blaming the school system for their child not excelling academically and not realizing what students face while trying to obtain a good & thorough education.
The Diary of Stephanie Dane examines the impact students’ deal with in school and challenges parents, and the community to respond.
Casey Bell, playwright and author of The House on Atticus Lane and Maria’s Troupe has unmasked a list of issues our teenagers are often asked to participate in or be a part of while attending high school such as: Gambling in class, teenage pregnancy, drinking alcohol, sexually assaulted by a teacher or something minor as being made fun of for wearing braces.
In this provocative book, Casey has exposed tough issues. He has given hope to families by revealing that in spite of what a child encounters in school, there is an outlet, a solution to the problem, and in this case it happened to be through keeping a diary.
Hard-hitting and truthful…Casey thoroughness forces the reader to understand the movement of keeping a diary.
Often times as parents, one of the first questions you ask your child when they arrive home is: “How was your day?” Right, wrong, or indifferent, they may not want to share their true feelings. This powerfully imaginative work by Casey Bell offers original ideas on how to address your child’s problems and just not critique or criticize but find ways to respond and prevent a major problem from occurring.
The Diary of Stephanie Dane is not just about education; it’s about survival and although students have constant struggles, life is about choices, and it is very refreshing to see some made the right choice.
“Bell throws light on the problem…with authority and passion….his writing comes alive with vivid, unforgettable detail.”
Shelly L. Ellis
Founder of Shelly Speaks Out
I enjoyed reading THE DIARY OF STEPHANIE DANE.
Courtesy of Teens Read Too
By TeensReadToo on May 1, 2009
I enjoyed reading THE DIARY OF STEPHANIE DANE.
This book was a diary written by the title character about her years in high school. She explains how she thought that school was a big deal, but everyone else thought that it was boring and not important.
She describes her years dealing with all of the problems high schoolers have, such as pregnancy, violence, and just handling life.
I liked this book but felt that it just brushed the surface. It covers four years in 68 pages. A lot of horrific things happen to the friends of the main character but we never can connect to her feelings. I wish Ms. Bell would have written a book with more depth, covering Stephanie and her life away from school. Stephanie is a survivor but we don't know why.
Although a quick and enjoyable read, it's not as well-developed or as in-depth as many other titles written on the same subject and in the same diary format.
My memory of Elias is intimate but brief; I asked him, "what happened, where are you taking me, who are you? Tell me!"
In a calm voice; "Sara hush, you died.
